Ice hockey is considered as one of the fastest sports in the world. This sport is very popular in areas of North America and Europe. It is the official national winter sport of Canada. Its played on ice in which skaters use sticks to shoot a rubber disk i

Ice Hockey is known as the fastest game on earth. It is a team sport played on ice where skaters use hockey sticks to shoot a rubber disk into their opponent's net.

In the US and Canada, it is simply known as "hockey", while the name "ice hockey" is popular in countries where hockey means "field hockey".

Ice Hockey

Ice Hockey is known as the fastest game on Earth.

Origins

There are many examples of games like hockey were played in different parts of the world throughout history. Researchers suggest that people played ice hockey as early as the 5th century.

For example, IJscolf was a game played on an ice surface. Players used a wooden curved bat, a wooden or leather ball, and two poles for a goal. The players had to try to hit a certain point with the fewest hits possible.

Vikings also played a game like hockey for thousands of years.

Hockey players engaged in the first organized game of hockey on March 3, 1875, in Montreal, Canada. Montreal is at the center of modern ice hockey.

Equipment

Mouth guardA hockey puckIce skatesHockey gloves

HelmetShin padsElbow padsShoulder padsNeck guard

A playing rinkA hockey stickTwo goals or netsJersey and hockey pants

Positions

There are 5 skaters and 1 goalie for each team on the ice at one time.

Why did the hockey player go to prison?He shot the puck!

Positions

3 Forwards

Center

The center is involved in many of the face-offs and is usually very good at passing the puck and shooting.

Positions

3 Forwards

Left Wing

The left wing plays mostly on the left side of the ice. He should be able to dig out the puck from the corners and battle in front of the net. He should be a good shooter.

Positions

3 Forwards

Right Wing

He works the right side of the ice for the most part. He needs to be a physical player who is good along the boards and in the corner.

2 Defensemen - left and right

One of the defenders is usually more creative and offensive-minded; he likes to control the puck and move it forward with passes to his team members.

The other defender is more defensive-minded, and uses his body to prevent the other team from scoring.

What is a ghost's favorite ice hockey position? Ghoulie.

Goalie

The goalie's job is to protect the goal so that the other team does not score. He has extra padding to prevent injury.

How does a hockey player like his lemonade?On ice!

Game time

A professional game consists of 3 periods of 20 minutes each.

Did you know!
Hockey is the official national winter sport of Canada.
During a hockey game, the players are moving at about 30 miles per hour.

Game location:

Players play hockey on an ice rink.

Wall approximately 40-48 inches high

Rectangular

Rounded corners

The ICE - the hockey rink

The playing area is an iced area that is rectangular with rounded corners. A wall surrounds the ice area and is approximately 40-48 inches high (these are the boards).

playing area that is 197 feet long

98.4 feet wide

Many rinks fit the size specified by the International Ice Hockey Federation, which includes a playing area that is 197 feet long by 98.4 feet wide. The NHL rinks measure 200 feet long by 85 feet wide.

There is a goal at each end of the ice, with a space for players to skate behind it.

The blue lines divide the rink into 3 zones, including the defending zone, the attacking zone and the neutral zone in the middle.

There are 9 face-off spots on the rink and there are 4 face-off circles that show where players must stand during a face-off.

Playing by the Rules

Puck

A puck is a smal rubber disk that slides on the ice, and players move it around with a stick. The puck is 3 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick.

Stick

A hockey stick is a wooden stick with a curved end. Players use the stick to move the puck along the ice.

Pads

Pads are part of the gear worn by hockey players, to protect various parts of the body (like the shins, the head, and the shoulders).

Goal

The goal includes two posts and a back net and is 72 inches wide by 48 inches tall.

Scoring

Each team tries to defend a goal and each team attempts to shoot the puck into the opposing goal. Each time the puck crosses the goal line, the team earns 1 point.

Faceoff

The referee drops the puck between each team's center in order to start play at the beginning of each period, and after each goal scored. There are special faceoff spots or dots on the playing surface.

Offside

An offside penalty occurs when player on the attacking team enters the attacking zone before the puck does, unless a defender sent or carried the puck to that location. When there is an offside penalty, the referee restarts the play with a faceoff.

Ice the puck or icing

Icing is a penalty that occurs when a player shoots the puck across at least two red lines (including the other team's goal line) without being touched by a player.

Out of play

When the puck leaves the playing area, it is out of play and the referee holds a faceoff to restart play.

Body check

Players can body check each other into the boards. This use of the hip and shoulder to bump another player is body checking.

Illegal hockey moves:

What hockey players cannot do:

Players cannot hit another player from behind.

Players cannot use forceful stick-on-body contact.

Players cannot hold the puck.

Players cannot direct the puck into the goal with their hands.

Players cannot kick the puck into the goal.

Penalties after illegal moves

Minor penalties = 2 minutes - power play
A minor penalty is often charged for an infraction (negative behavior) like elbowing, holding your stick too high, delaying the game, checking a player into the board, using illegal equipment, holding another player's stick, inappropriate language with the referee or another player, or cross-checking. Many different infractions can lead to a minor penalty.

Did you know!

A puck can travel up to 100 miles per hour.

A goalie's chest pad is made of the same material as a bulletproof vest.

The player charged with the penalty goes to the penalty box for 2 minutes. The other team has a power play, which means they play at an advantage with all of their players for 2 minutes while the opponent is in the penalty box. If the power play team scores, the penalty is over, even if the 2 minutes are not over.

Major penalties = 5 minutes - power play

A major penalty is charged for fighting between players, a violent infraction that results in international injury to a player, or when there is visible injury (like bleeding). The player charged with a major penalty is sent to the penalty box for 5 minutes. The other team has a power play for the full 5-minute penalty, regardless of whether or not they score.

Penalty shot

When a player has a clear scoring opportunity (like a breakaway) and another player uses an illegal move to stop him, the referee can aware a penalty shot. A penalty shotmeans the referee places the puck at the red line and the fouled player can try to score on the goalie with no other players on the ice.

A penalty shot is also awarded when a defender covers the puck right by the goal, when the goalie moves the goal posts to prevent a goal, or when a player or coach throws a stick or object during the game and it disrupts the play.

Timeline

5th century to 1648 (Middle Ages & Dutch Golden Age) - Early versions of hockey were played in various places and with different equipment.

1875 - First organized hockey game was played in Montreal, Canada.

1877 - Players identified the first 7 hockey rules.

1883 - Montreal, Canada included hockey in their Winter Carnival.

1885 - The Montreal City Hockey League formed.

1893 - There were over 100 hockey teams (just in Montreal, Canada).

Timeline

1910 - The Natioanl Hockey Association formed in Montreal, Canada.

1917 - NHA became the National Hockey League and expanded into the U.S.

Timeline

Timeline

1990-Hockey Super Skill championships began with competitions for the fastest skater, the hardest shot, breakaway challenges, and goalkeeper skills.

1994-There was a player lockout where owners and the NHL argued with players about salaries and other work issues.

1998-Women's ice hockey became a medal sport at the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.

Timeline

2004-There was a lockout and disputes over player salaries. As a result, the entire season was cancelled.

2005-The NHL created stricter rules about body checking to keep play moving and increase scoring opportunities.

2012-There was another lockout, which was a labor dispute over player salaries. As a result, 510 regular season games were cancelled.

Legends

Bobby Orr - Canadian

Orr started playing hockey at the age of 5. When he joined the Boston Bruins in 1966, he became the highest paid rookie in NHL history. He was the Boston Bruins' star player from the end of the 1960s to mid-1970s.

He played for 9 seasons (1966-1975) in the NHL. He helped the Bruins win 2 Stanley Cup Championships. Bobby Orr is one of the greatest hockey players of all time.

March 20, 1948
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He played defense. Orr changed the way people think about the game of hockey because he believed that defenders should be good at offense as well. He became a very well rounded player who was skilled at defense and offense.

Legends

Gordie Howe - Canadian

Nickname: Mr. Hockey

Howe entered the National Hockey League in 1946 at the age of 18. He scored a goal in his first game then went on to score 1,070 more goals in his career.

Howe played for the Detroit Red Wings, Houston Aeros, New England Whalers, and Hartford Whalers. As a Detroit Red Wing, Howe led the team to 4 Stanley Cup Championships.

March 31, 1928
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Legends

Gordie Howe - Canadian

Nickname: Mr. Hockey

Howe set the record for the most records by any athlete ever in any sport. He had the all-time record for goals (1,071), assists (1518), points (2,589) games played (2,421), All Star appearances (29) most MVP's (7), most scoring titles (6) and most seasons played (32).

Howe had his best years when he was 41 and 48 years old! He was a tough player, so he had many injuries during his career. Over time, he had to have 500 stitches in his face!

March 31, 1928
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Legends

Mario Lemieux - Canadian

Lemieux started playing professionally at the age of 15. He was a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1984-2006. He was the Rookie of the Year, and he was the first rookie named as All Star MVP.

Lemieux was a fast skater, he was good at faking out the defense, and was a key playmaker. Despite many health problems that limited his play, he led the Pittsburgh Penguins to 2 Stanley Cup Championships.

In 1988, Lemieux scored 8 points and became the only player in NHL history to score a goal in all 5 possible game situations in the same game: even-strength, power-play, shorthanded, penalty shot, and empty-net.

October 5, 1965
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Legends

Mario Lemieux - Canadian

He tied the NHL record for most goals and points in a postseason game, most goals in a postseason period (4 goals in the first period), and most assists in a postseason period (three assists in the second period).

Aside from being an amazing hockey player, Lemieux created the Mario Lemieux Foundation to raise money for medical research. He was diagnosed with cancer in 1993, he was Knighted in 2009, and he was given the Order of Canada from the Governor-General in 2010.

October 5, 1965
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Legends

Wayne Gretzky – Canada

Nickname: The Great One

Gretzky started skating and playing hockey when he was 6 years old. Gretzky played the position of center. He had a unique strategy of passing the puck to oncoming players, and he worked to surprise the defense with his moves and tricks.

Gretzky played for several different teams, including the Edmonton Oilers. He led the Oilers to 4 Stanley Cup championships. Gretzky played in the NHL's All-Star Game every year he was in the league and was the first player to be named the game MVP with three different teams.

January 26, 1961
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Legends

Wayne Gretzky – Canada

Nickname: The Great One

Off the rink and after he retired from playing in 1999, Gretzky has been in many advertisements for different companies (like Pepsi), he works to raise money for several different charities, he started a winery, and he served as the executive director of the men's Olympic hockey team.